Coffin-platform for graves



s. BAKER. l

. GOFPIN PLATFORM FOR GRAVES.

Patented Sept. 21, 188-6.

INVBNTOR i] ATTORNEYS .|17 '.l a' f 96,904. L

WITNESSES I @do j www@ @f N. Pneus Phemumognpher, washing, nc.

UNITED STATES' PATENT OFFICE.

SETH'BAKER, OF COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO.

COFFINPLATFORNI FOR GRAVES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,421, dated September 21, 1886.

Application filed January 27, 1886. Serial N o. 190,000. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, SETH BAKER, of Colorado Springs, in the' county of El Paso and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Coffin-Platforms for Graves, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,

in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the iigures.

Figure l is a plan view of my improved coffinplatform for graves, parts of the side rods being broken away and two of the standards being removed. side elevation of the same, taken through the line x Fig. l, and showing in dotted lines a canopy to protect the grave from rain or snow. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one part of the platform folded. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the other part of the platform folded.

The object of this invention is to provide coffin-platforms for graves, constructed in such a manner that the cofns can be readily placed over and conveniently lowered into the graves, and which at the same time will hide the open mouths of the graves.

`The invention consists in the construction and combination of the various parts of the platform, as will be hereinafter fullydescribed.

A B represent the side bars of the platform, which are connected at or near their ends by cross-bars C. The cross-bars C at one end are hinged to the inner side of the bar A, so that they can be folded against the said inner side, as shown in Fig. 3. The other ends of the crossbars C are dovetailed and are fitted into dovetailed recesses D in the inner side of the bar B, so that they can be readily attached to and detached from the said bar B, and when attached' will be held securely in place.

.a E are three or more rollers, the journals of which rest and revolve in recesses F in the bars A B, so that the said rollers can be readily and quickly applied and removed. Ihe rollers E are arranged near one end and at the middle part of the side bars, A B, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that the end of the coffin can be readily placed upon the end roller and the said cofiin easily pushed into place upon the said rollers. Each ofthe side Fig. 2 is a sectional bars, A B, is niadein two unequal parts, which are hinged together at their adjacent ends, so that the said bars can be readily folded together, as illustrated in. Figs. 3 and 4.

To the side bars, A B, near their ends, are attached legs G, to support the platform at a suitable distance above the ground. When the side bars, A B, are folded, the legs G of the shorter parts of the said bars pass through slots H in the longer parts, and the legs G of the longer parts enter grooves in the ends of the shorter parts, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In the ends and middle parts of the side bars, A B, are formed sockets I, in which are inserted the ends of short standards J, having flower-vases or other ornaments upon their upper ends. In the upper parts 0f the standards J are formed transverse sockets K, to receive the rods I', from which may be suspended curtains M, t.) hide the open mouth of the grave. In case it should rain or snow while the grave is open, the rodsL can be withdrawn from the sockets K and the standards J withdrawn from the sockets I, and the standards J and curtains M can be laid aside. The ends of the rods L can then be inserted in the sockets I and a piece of canvas spread` over the upper ends of the said rods until the time for the burial, to protect the grave from the rain or snow.

In using the improvement the frame A B C G is set up over the grave, the rollers E are placed in the sockets F, the standards J are inserted in the sockets I, the curtains M are placed upon the rods L, and the said rods are inserted in the sockets K. When the coffin is brought to the grave, the end of the said coffin is placed upon the end roller, E, and the said coflin is` then easily pushed into place.

The coffin is then raised by means of thelowering-straps, which had previously been arranged in place, the rollers E are taken away and the coffin is lowered into the ground by means of the said lowering-straps. When the vpeople have left the grave, the platform is taken apart, folded together, and carried away, ready to be again used. f

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. Acoffilrplatform for graves, constructed substantially as herein shown and described, and consisting of the side bars, A B, made in two parts hinged to each other and provided with the slots H and recesses D F, the cross 5' bars C, hinged to one side bar and dovetailed to the other, the legs G, attached to the said side bars, and the rollers E, journaled to the said side bars, whereby a coffin can be readily placed above the grave and supported, as set 1o forth.

2. In a Collin-platform for graves, the combination, with the frame A B C, havingsockets I. of the standards J, having transverse sockets K, the rods L, inserted in the said sockets, and the curtains M, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the mouth of the grave will be hid and a neat appearance will be given to the platform, as set forth.

y SETH BAKER. Witnesses:

L. C. PERKINS, J. H. THEDINGA. 

